South Carolina H 4115: Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome Awareness Day

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4115 Text of Previous Version (Mar. 04, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4115

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

to encourage all South Carolinians to increase their 
awareness of and gain prevention education on the signs of topical steroid 
dependence and the risks associated with topical steroid withdrawal syndrome 
and to declare February 3, 2026, as Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome 
Awareness Day in South Carolina. 

Whereas, topical 
steroid withdrawal syndrome (TSWS), also known as Topical Steroid Addiction or 
Red Skin Syndrome, is a severe and debilitating condition that can arise from 
intentional or unintentional exposure to topical steroids; and

Whereas, topical steroids are 
widely prescribed and available over the counter to treat both acute and 
chronic skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, and alopecia 
areata; and

Whereas, TSWS is characterized 
by severe symptoms such as skin flushing, inflammation, diffuse spreading 
rashes, profuse skin flaking, and intense burning and itching that often 
surpass the severity of the original condition, typically manifesting after the 
use of topical steroids, between treatments, or upon discontinuation; and

Whereas, recovery from TSWS can 
take several months to several years, leaving many sufferers bedridden or 
housebound and unable to work, care for children, or attend school; and 

Whereas, the prolonged 
withdrawal and recovery period can have a profound impact on both physical and 
mental health, with eighty-one percent of adults and fifty-six percent of 
children experiencing TSWS reporting anxiety or depression and forty-seven 
percent of adults and eleven percent of children reporting suicidal ideation; 
and

Whereas, the prevalence of 
topical steroid addiction remains unknown due to a scarcity of published 
research; and

Whereas, limited research on 
TSWS hinders the development of diagnostic criteria; the understanding of its 
causes, effects, and mechanisms; the establishment of appropriate treatment 
protocols; and the education of both healthcare providers and patients on TSWS 
and steroid stewardship; and

Whereas, a lack of awareness 
and education about TSWS among both patients and providers can lead to 
misunderstandings, causing patients to question their providers' medical 
oversight and leading providers to suspect medication noncompliance or, in some 
cases, parental neglect. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House 
of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, 
declare February 3, 2026, as Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome Day in South 
Carolina and encourage all South Carolinians to increase their awareness of and 
gain prevention education on the signs of topical steroid dependence and the 
risks associated with topical steroid withdrawal syndrome. 

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This web page was last updated on March 04, 2025 at 12:58 PM